Cafe Victoria

These last few weeks have been a bit stressful with the semester starting, finishing two classes and starting my final class and capstone. I want to enjoy this time but at the same time, I would love to be done. But for right now, I want to share some thank yous:

Thank you Matthias for your support and patiences. Thank you for helping me with my web site, the house and listening to me when I start to stress out. You always remind me to make life simple yet better. I love being married to you.

Thank you to my students who brighten up my day when I am feeling overwhelmed about school. Thank you for all your hard work on Measure L, and how you make a true effort to balance work, school and being involved.

Thank you to my co-hort. Ladies, I love how we are there for each other. Thanks for calling in and staying in touch through email.

Thank you to Mom, Dad and Missy for your support, love and laughter. You brighten my day.

One week at a time
One assignment at a time
One step at a time
One thought at a time
One moment at a time

Thanks Carmen for sharing this email. Here are the ones that stood out to me.

·        Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

·        Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

·        Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

·        Call your mother and father often.

·        Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need

·        Dream more while you are awake.

As I was driving home today, BROOKS & DUNN song “God Must Be Busy” came over the radio. I know, I know, Brooks and Dunn. You must be thinking “Vic, are you listening to country music?” Yeah, I admit it. Some days I don’t know what to think about the war in Iraq or the feeling of disillusionment I get from CNN’s crazy coverage of the primaries. Then a song comes over the radio and I start to make sense of it all. Then I do the hardest thing: say a prayer.

“That anchor man says the fight began
somewhere in the Middle East.
The world prays for peace.
There’s a single mom just got laid off when she lost a job
to some foreign hands in some faraway land.
Last night in Oklahoma some twister took thirteen
and they’re praying that they find the missing three.
God must be busy.

That highway sign went from slow ahead
to traffic’s dead.
Thought it couldn’t get worse than that Amber Alert.
They say she’s 4,
Colorado plates, headed out-of-state in a Chevy van.
It’s hard to understand.
You can see it in the faces of all those highway strangers,
they’re praying that God keeps that girl from danger.
God must be busy.

And I know in the big picture
I’m just a speck of sand
and God’s got better things to do
than look out for one man.
I know he’s heard my prayers
cause he hears everything,
he just ain’t answered back
or he’d bring you back to me.
God must be busy.

That evening news,
Ain’t much changed
pretty much the same
since I left home.
Yeah that war’s still on.
They found that little girl.
She was soaking wet,
half scared to death
on the side of some road.
Them prayers work, you know.
And the Bloods and Cripps are at it,
and theres a killer drought down south,
and old folks can’t afford the drugs
they can’t live with out.
God must be busy.

And I know in the big picture
I’m just a speck of sand
and God’s got better things to do
than look out for one man.
I know he’s heard my prayers
cause he hears everything,
he just ain’t answered back
or he’d bring you back to me.
God must be busy.

That anchorman,
says the fightings worse,
cities burn in the Middle East.
The world prays for peace”

GOD MUST BE BUSY LYRICS – BROOKS & DUNN SONG WORDS

Song Words by Artist / Band : BROOKS & DUNN
Song Lyrics Title : GOD MUST BE BUSY
Taken from Album : Cowboy Town
Single Released : November 2007
Music Genre : Country

Another break, another chance to write papers.
At this moment in time I am finishing “Managing People, a guide for department chairs and deans” for my book review paper, and “researching the GI Bill and its lack of funding for today’s college vets” for my critical issue paper due Jan. 7.
In the back of my mind I have to start writing the outline for the book review paper due Jan. 9 and schedule a visit to Pacific Union College for my compare/contrast paper that needs to be written by Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday. Ohh yeah, and in the middle of it all I have to do my first draft for the Capstone of the 1 -4 compencies and philosophy of student affairs by Jan. 15.

So the question is do I relax or do homework? I figure if I do a few hours of homework a day..I can relax the rest..balance, right? When is Graduation again? May 3, 2008!! The count down begins…

Don’t mind us. We are rocking to our Rock Band Video Game. “Woo..living on a prayer!” Miss plays drums. Matt the guitar. I the vocals. You can call us the Grass Valley Great Buggies. Merry Christmas!!

When I first went to Matthias’ apartment he had a German poster on his wall for the film Run Lola Run. Three years later we enjoyed the film as if we were on a first date. Way cool film by the way. We were inspired to watch thanks to VH1 90’s flashback. I forget what year they were talking about Run Lola Run. I think it had to do the fact that she is running through Berlin during the whole movie. Anyway, if you missed that film like I did, I highly recommend renting it and enjoying the fun German Tekkno Music of the late 90’s.

Wow, I thought I was busy when I was planning the wedding. With Christmas shopping, staying connected at work and taking two courses, I am feeling a bit stressed. To tell you the truth, I would rather spend time with friends, family and my students then drive around buying Christmas presents in the cold. I would trade catching up over some hot apple cider or walks in the sunshine any day then drive around in the holiday season traffic. I bet all of us in a way would rather spend time together then just send each other Christmas cards. For those I get to see in the next few weeks, I’m looking forward to it. I think Matthias has officially changed the Estrella Family Christmas. It looks like we now open gifts on Christmas Eve. Ahh..but I think he is starting to love Christmas morning waffles. For family members I only get to see when the timing is right, I miss you.

On a joyful note; Winter Solstice is almost here AND just in time for all of us to slow down and welcome in more sun light and a new year. Fall brings changes. Winter brings awakening.